Never heard of 64-slice computed tomography coronary angiography? It's a type
of CT scan that gives doctors a detailed look at the coronary arteries, which
supply blood to heart muscle. The technique is quick, noninvasive, and becoming
more popular.

CT Heart Scan Radiation Study

The new study comes from researchers including
Andrew Einstein, MD, of New York's Columbia University Medical Center.

They estimated the odds of ever developing cancer associated with standard
radiation exposure from a single heart scan using 64-slice CT coronary
angiography.

The odds varied widely, were highest for young women, and depended on whether
or not radiation-reducing technology was used.

Einstein's team estimates that women in their 20s may have the highest
lifetime cancer risk from heart scan radiation, compared with other adults.

The study predicts that one in 143 women in their 20s might ever develop
cancer linked to heart scan radiation. Those estimated odds improved to one in
219 when the researchers assumed that radiation-reducing technology was used in
the heart scan.

The researchers predict the lowest lifetime cancer risk -- one in 5,017 --
for men in their 80s when radiation-reducing technology was used in the heart
scans.

Heart Scan and Cancer Risk?

Because heart scans target the chest area,
lung
cancer stood out as a possible cancer risk related to heart scans. In women
younger than 32, breast cancer was the most likely cancer risk.

But the researchers don't have any data on cancers in people who've gotten
64-slice heart scans. The heart scan technology is too new for that information,
Einstein's team notes.

Why did the patients' age matter? Cancer usually develops slowly. Older
patients might die of other causes before a cancer was diagnosed, according to
the study.

The researchers call for further studies on the topic. For instance, they
don't know what the lifetime cancer risk would be in people who get several
heart scans over the years.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of U.S. men and women. With that in mind,
the researchers recommend "cautious" use of CT coronary angiography, especially
in young women, using the lowest effective dose of radiation.

Patients and their doctors should weigh the pros and cons of heart scans vs.
other, more invasive diagnostic techniques, the researchers also suggest.